Seed package handling system for test plot combine

ABSTRACT

A seed package handling system is provided for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In seed test plots, sample seeds are harvested by special testplot combines. The harvested seeds are placed in identified bags orpackages, and then maintained for further evaluation and subsequentplanting. Such a process and apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,664,402.

[0002] However, the great number and bulk of the seed packages creates ahandling problem, since the packages have to be collected on the plotcombine, and then delivered to a separate vehicle for transportation toa processing center. The handling problem becomes greater as the speedand efficiency of the plot combine is improved. Human fatigue is also aproblem arising from the handling of thousands of seed packages, whichmay weigh 10 pounds or more.

[0003] Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is theprovision of a method and means for efficiently handling the seedpackages from a test plot combine used in seed test plot harvesting.

[0004] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of amethod and means of handling a large volume of packaged seed samplesautomatically.

[0005] A further objective of the present invention is the provision ofan improved seed package handling system which minimizes or eliminateshuman interaction in the handling process.

[0006] These and other objectives will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A test plot combine is provided with a seed packaging assemblyfor bagging or packaging the harvested seeds from a test plot. Thecombine also includes a first hopper or bucket into which the seedpackages are deposited. After a predetermined number of seed packagesare loaded into the bucket, the bucket is automatically raised anddumped into a larger second hopper within the combine. After the secondhopper has received a predetermined number of seed packages, the secondhopper is tilted to discharge the packages into a container, such as awagon, separate from the combine for transport to a processing facility.The loading and unloading of the first hopper is controlled by a PLC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing a test plot combine withthe seed packaging handling system of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the seed package handling system ofthe present invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the combine showing the bucketor first hopper in a loading position.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the bucket in a raisedpackage dumping position.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the second hopper in atilted discharge position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A test plot combine is generally designated in the drawings bythe reference numeral 10. The combine 10 includes a harvesting head 12for harvesting seeds from the test plot rows. Contained within thecombine 10 is a seed packaging assembly 14. The details of the packagingassembly 14 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,402, which isincorporated herein by reference.

[0014] The seed package handling system of the present invention iscontained within the combine 10 and includes a conveyor 16, a firsthopper or bucket 18, an elevator of lift assembly 20, and a secondhopper or tank 22. As seen in the drawings, the volume of the secondhopper 22 is substantially larger than the volume of the first hopper18.

[0015] The handling system also includes a programmable logic control(PLC) or microprocessor 24. The PLC 24 controls a first motor 26 whichactuates the conveyor 16 and a second motor 28 which actuates theelevator 20. The PLC 24 also controls the extension and retraction of afirst linear actuator 30 attached to the first hopper 18, and a secondhydraulic cylinder 32 attached to the second hopper 22.

[0016] As the combine 10 is harvesting seed from the test plot, theseeds are directed to the packaging assembly 14 wherein the seeds arepackaged into a plurality of bags or packages 34. As each bag is closedand sealed, the packaging assembly 14 deposits each bag on a chute 36wherein the bags 34 fall by gravity onto the conveyor 16. The conveyordelivers the bags 34 to the first hopper 18, as best seen in FIG. 2.After a predetermined number of bags or a predetermined weight isaccumulated within the first hopper, the PLC 24 deactivates the motor 26so that the conveyor 16 is turned off.

[0017] Simultaneously, the PLC 24 activates the motor 28 which turns onthe elevator 20 so as to raise the first hopper 18 along the elevatortrack or post 38. When the first hopper 18 reaches the top of theelevator 20, the PLC 24 activates the first linear actuator 30 which isextended so as to pivot the first hopper 18 about a pivot axis 40 on thehopper frame 42, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Thus, the seed packages 34in the first hopper 18 are dumped into the larger second hopper 22. Thefirst hopper 18 is then lowered to its loading position, whereafter thePLC 24 reactivates the motor 26, thereby turning on the conveyor 16 todeposit additional seed bags 34 into the first hopper 18. It shall benoted that sensor 23 (FIG. 2) is located just below hopper 22 and isconnected to PLC 24. Sensor 23 performs the function of notifying PLC 24when hopper 22 is in its non-tilted position so that the PLC will notallow hopper 18 to be dumped unless the hopper 22 is in its loweredposition. This prevents hopper 18 from being dumped unless hopper 22 isin position to retrieve the seed bags from hopper 18. While the conveyor16 is turned off, the packaging assembly 14 may continue to operate anddischarge bags onto the stopped conveyor 16.

[0018] After a predetermined quantity of bags or weight has been loadedinto the second hopper 22, the second hydraulic cylinder 32 can beactuated by the operator to pivot the second hopper 22 about a pivotaxis 44 on the frame 46 of the second hopper, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5.The second hopper 22 includes a spring-loaded door 48. The door 48 isnormally closed by the spring bias, as seen in FIG. 3, and is swung toan open position, as shown in FIG. 5, by the weight of the seed bags 34when the second hopper 22 is tilted to the discharge or unloadingposition. As shown in FIG. 2, when the second hopper is pivoted to thedischarge position, the seed bags fall by gravity out the door 48 andinto a wagon or other vehicle 50, separate from the combine, fortransport to a processing facility.

[0019] It is understood that as an alternative to the PLC 24 controllingmovement of the conveyor 16 and the hoppers 18, 22 based upon thepredetermined quantities or weight of bags, the PLC 24 can be programmedto operate on predetermined time periods so that the hoppers 18, 22 areperiodically unloaded at preset time intervals. It is also understoodthat appropriate signal processing devices (not shown) are provided soas to send signals to and from the PLC 24 to operate the motors 26, 28and the hydraulic cylinders 30, 32.

[0020] Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connectionwith the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that manymodifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are withinthe intended broad scope of the following claims. From the foregoing, itcan be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of thestated objectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package conveyor system for seed test plotcombines, comprising: a combine for harvesting seed; a packagingmechanism on the combine for placing selected seeds into a plurality ofself contained packages; a conveyor for delivering the packages to afirst hopper; an elevator on the combine for lifting the first hopper toan elevated position; first means on the combine for tipping the firsthopper and dumping the packages therein to a second hopper which isgreater in size than the first hopper; and second means on the combinefor tipping the second hopper for unloading the second hopper into atransport vehicle from the combine.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein acomputer is on the combine and operatively connected to the elevator tolift the first hopper when the first hopper receives a predeterminedquantity of packages.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the computer isoperatively connected to the conveyor delivering the packages to thefirst hopper to control said conveyor while the first hopper is beinglifted.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the computer is operativelyconnected to the first and second means for tipping to control thetipping of the first hopper.
 5. The system of claim 1 further comprisinga first motor for actuating the conveyor and a second motor foractuating the elevator.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the secondhopper has a normally closed spring loaded discharge chute that pivotsaway from the second hopper to a discharge position via the weight ofthe packages when the second hopper is tipped to facilitate theunloading of packages from the second hopper without tipping the secondhopper to the angle of response of the chute in its discharge position.7. A seed test plot combine, comprising: a head for harvesting seed froma test plot; a packaging mechanism for packaging the harvested seed intoa plurality of seed packages; a first hopper for storing a firstquantity of seed packages received from the packaging mechanism; asecond hopper for storing a second quantity of seed packages, the secondquantity being greater than the first quantity; and the first hopperbeing movable between a package loading position and a package dischargeposition wherein the packages are discharged into the second hopper. 8.The combine of claim 7 further comprising an electric actuator fortilting the first hopper between the loading and discharge positions. 9.The combine of claim 7 further comprising an elevator and a power sourcefor actuating the elevator to lift the first hopper from the loadingposition to the discharge position.
 10. The combine of claim 7 whereinthe second hopper is movable between a package loading position and apackage discharge position wherein the packages are discharged into areceptacle separate from the combine.
 11. The combine of claim 10further comprising a hydraulic cylinder for tilting the second hopperbetween the loading and discharge positions.
 12. The combine of claim 7wherein the second hopper includes a spring loaded door having a springbias to normally close the door and which opens when the weight of thepackages overcomes the spring bias.
 13. The combine of claim 7 furthercomprising a PLC for automatically controlling the positions of thefirst hopper.
 14. The combine of claim 7 further comprising a conveyorfor delivering seed packages from the packaging mechanism to the firsthopper.
 15. A method of conveying sample seed packages from a seed testplot combine, comprising: harvesting and packaging separate seed sampleswith a combine to create a plurality of seed packages; conveying theseed packages to a first hopper; elevating the first hopper to adischarge height; dumping the seed packages from the first hopper into asecond hopper of greater size than the first hopper; repeating theforegoing steps until the second hopper contains a quantity of seedpackages greater than that capable of being carried by the first hopper;and dumping the seed packages from the second hopper into a transportvehicle separate from the combine.
 16. The method of claim 15 whereinthe packaging of seed is continued while the first hopper is beingelevated.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the seed packages areautomatically loaded into the first hopper, dumped into the secondhopper, and dumped into the transport vehicle without manual handling ofthe packages.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprisingautomatically controlling the conveying and elevating steps controllingthe dumping of the first hopper with a computer.
 19. A dumping binstructure, comprising: a supporting elevated frame having an upperposition; a dumping hopper having a dumping area pivotally secured tothe upper position of the elevated frame and being adapted to pivot froman upright position to a pivotal dumping position; a dumping chute onthe dumping hopper adjacent the dumping area, a resilient meansyieldingly connecting the dumping hopper and the dumping chute tomaintain the dumping chute in a non-dumping position when the dumpinghopper is in its upright position, but to permit the dumping chute toovercome the resilient means via the weight of material in the dumpinghopper and to thereby move the dumping chute to a dumping position. 20.The device of claim 19 further comprising a hydraulic cylinder fortilting the dumping hopper.
 21. The system of claim 1 wherein thecombine includes a sensor control system for preventing the first hopperfrom being tipped when the second hopper is in an un-tipped position.